In recent years, payday lenders have drained over half a billion dollars in fees from Michigan consumers to out-of-state companies. By charging APRs over 340%, payday lenders cost Michigan consumers over $94 million in 2016 and over $513 million over the past five years. Over two-thirds of Michigan payday stores have headquarters out of state.
Michigan payday lenders disproportionately locate their stores in communities of color. While statewide there are 5.6 payday stores per 100,000 people in Michigan, payday store concentrations are higher in census tracts that have more African-Americans and Latinos. Census tracts that are over 25% and 50% African-American and Latino are 7.6 and 6.6 payday stores per 100,000 people, respectively.
Michigan payday lenders disproportionately locate their stores in rural and low-income areas. Rural census tracts have a payday store concentration of 7.1 stores per 100,000 people, while census tracts below 80% of the state’s median household income have 9.1 stores per 100,000 people.